This picturesque park has a large swimming area with sand and an additional gravel beach. There is also a spectacular playground and plenty of grassy knolls to set up for the day, play frisbee, or have a nap! Be sure to check out our Lake Meridian Playground Report.

This is a riverfront park with access to a swimmable (well, splashable) area of Green River with a small area of sand. The water reminded me a bit of splashing in a mud puddle, but the boys enjoyed it. There are lovely, shaded picnic areas, walking trails, and a small, albeit fun, play structure.

Unless the tide is up, you can find some sand on both sides of the fishing peer. The boardwalk is a great 1/2 mile walk one way, although it is currently (as of 03/01/15) closed due to storm damage. In the summer time, be sure to show up for the free lunch for kids. They also have very skilled guides out from the Highline MaST Aquarium who will guide the kids in beach combing, activities in the aquarium, and crafts.

This gem is hidden away in a neighborhood and is super private. You may also get to watch skim borders. Downside: It’s more tide dependent. At high tide, the sand areas will be minimal. Also, a reader pointed out that Dumas Bay is a heron sanctuary, so dig is a no-no. If you just want the feel the sand between your toes, go for it! This beach is also featured in our list of Ten South Sound Nature Walks for Young Hikers.

While this park requires a Discover Pass, it is a South Sound treasure! There is so much sand here, you can even bring your skim boards if you’re adventurous. The best part? The beach is far from the hustle and bustle of the city, so you really feel like you have gotten away from it all and can relax. Read more about Favorite Beach Outings in the South Sound.

Wait? Two Dash Points? Yes! This one is a MetroParks Tacoma park just down the street from Dash Point State Park. It requires no Discover Pass! It also has a newly renovated playground, bathroom facilities and a beautiful view of the Sound.

Most Tacoma area beaches are better for beach combing than sand play, unless the tide is out. The section of Ruston Way next to Jack Hyde park (where the sundial is) almost always has some sand. Read my full review of Jack Hyde Park.

This park includes a boat launch, a swimming area with a small sand area, picnic tables, and a playground. This is a busy, popular park. There is usually a life guard on duty keeping things safe and having all folks stick to the rules.

The lake has a swimming area with a small section of sandy beach. Parks and Rec staffers suggest parking in the D or C lot. In addition to swimming, check out the playground, paddle boat rentals, and trails. There are parking fees in the summer.

If you’re willing to go a bit out of South Sound territory, you might consider Gene Coulon Beach in Renton. If you want to make a day trip to Seattle, you can’t beat Alki Beach. Or, just load everyone up and head out to the Washington coast. It’s not Maui, but there is plenty of sandy beach and optimal kite flying locales!

Comments

Long Lake does not have any sand, it is a pea gravel shore… For tide dependent sandy shores you can go to Priest Point Park or Burfoot park both just past Olympia’s downtown area. But both areas are very rocky when the tide is high.

Something to consider is that Dumas Bay is actually a wildlife sanctuary (or something similar), and so they actually have “no digging on the beach” signs posted. However, at low tide this is a wonderful place to go to see lots of live sand dollars.

We go to Tolmie State park all the time and we love it!!
there are tons of shady hiking trails and there are two beaches. one of then is made from the gravely sand you’re talking about.. but the other beach has all sand and its an amazing place to swim. i would highly recommened gong there!

Lake Meridian in Kent put in new play equipment about a year ago that is really nice. Thursday nights for the summer they are having concerts in the park. It’s fun to go play and then take a picnic dinner for the concert but parking can be rough unless you get there really early especially on nice days. http://kentwa.gov/arts/summer/

Fort Warden State Park in Port Townsend is one of the biggest and best sandy beaches up here that is not on the coast. You may know this beach from the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman”. There are bunkers to explore, a light house to tour, a marine science center, trails galore that even lead to more bunkers and to another great beach called North Beach. If you go to North Beach at the right time in the morning while the tide is real low, you can walk to Glass Beach where you will find all sorts of colors of beach glass along with different types of china. Port Townsend is a wonderful place to visit in the summer time. And in the winter time it’s great for whale watching season.